Chicago city officials say they're prepared for potentially heavy snow headed for the Chicago area Friday.
“We will have over 200 vehicles to deal with this approaching storm," Commissioner Charles Williams of the Department of Streets and Sanitation said during a news conference Thursday afternoon. "We’ll have more than adequate resources to make sure that the streets of Chicago are safe and passable.”
A Winter Storm Watch was issued Thursday for Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, Lake, Ogle, Lee, DeKalb and Kane counties in Illinois, warning of snow accumulations between 4 and 7 inches.
A watch was later issued for Cook County, warning of snow accumulations between 4 and 8 inches, particularly for areas not along the lakefront or in downtown Chicago.
“The strongest part of the storm is expected to hit between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m," said Williams. "It will not impact commuting. We anticipate clearing the storm very quickly, again safely and efficiently.”
The Department of Streets and Sanitation plans to continue plowing through Saturday afternoon, including clearing the downtown area ahead of the 2015 BMO Harris Magnificent Mile Lights Festival which will take place that evening.
Exact snow totals remain unclear, as some models predict more than an inch while others show up to 8 inches in some areas.
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Drivers are asked to allow extra time for traveling and to allow extra space for snow plows.The city's overnight parking ban will not be in place until Dec. 1.
